Communication disorders take many forms and can limit our ability to learn, challenge the health of our relationships, impact our emotional well-being, and stifle career opportunities. Someone may be born with a speech-language or hearing disorder or acquire a disorder through accident or illness.

Fortunately, most people with communication problems can be helped. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) and audiologists are the professionals who treat all types of speech-language and hearing disorders. They hold at least a master’s degree, are certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and, in all but two states, are licensed to work in one or more settings.